There’s something about Fall that makes me want to fill my kitchen with warm spices, pumpkin everything, and baked goods that practically beg for a cup of coffee or tea. And when life gets busy, I love a recipe that’s easy to whip up but still makes the house smell like a dream. That’s where these pumpkin spiced scones come in. They’re soft, buttery, perfectly spiced, and just sweet enough, basically, everything you want in a Fall treat.

Spiced Pumpkin Scones with Vanilla glaze

Why You’ll Love These Fall Scones

First of all, they’re packed with real pumpkin and warm pumpkin pie spice, so they taste like fall in every bite. They have that lovely crisp edge with a soft, slightly flaky interior, and they’re finished with a sweet vanilla glaze that makes them extra special. Plus, they’re easy to customize, whether you want to add nuts, chocolate chips, or a little maple twist, these scones are totally adaptable.

Here’s What You’ll Need

4 cups all-purpose flour (plus a little extra for dusting)
½ cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 to 2½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
1¼ cups cold unsalted butter, cubed
1¾ cups pumpkin puree
7 tablespoons cold heavy cream, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
2 cups confectioners’ sugar

How to Make Pumpkin Spiced Scones

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step is key because scones bake best on a well-prepped surface.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. This ensures that all those flavors get evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. If you rub a bit of the mixture between your fingers, you should see little buttery bits throughout, this is what gives scones that perfect flakiness.

Step 4: Make the Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, 6 tablespoons of heavy cream, the beaten egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Gradually add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a fork until just combined. Don’t overmix, it’s okay if the dough looks a little shaggy!

Step 5: Shape & Chill

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it just enough to bring it together. Flatten it into a 1-inch thick circle, then cut into 12 wedges (think pizza slices). Place them on the baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes. This helps the butter firm back up, ensuring the scones bake up light and tender.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Before baking, brush the tops with the remaining 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Pop them in the oven for 25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Let them cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 7: Glaze & Enjoy

While the scones cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, the remaining 6 tablespoons of heavy cream, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more cream. Drizzle it over the scones, let it set for 10 minutes, and then dive in!

Fun Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some delicious ways to customize these scones:

1. Maple Pumpkin Scones – Swap the vanilla extract in the glaze for maple extract and add ¼ cup chopped pecans to the dough.

2. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Scones – Stir in ½ cup mini chocolate chips for a sweet, chocolatey twist.

3. Cranberry Walnut Scones – Add ½ cup dried cranberries and ¼ cup chopped walnuts for a festive touch.

4. Streusel-Topped Scones – Before baking, sprinkle the tops with a simple streusel made from 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon melted butter.

5. Extra Spiced Scones – Love spice? Increase the pumpkin pie spice to 3 teaspoons and add ½ teaspoon ground ginger for an extra kick.

Tips for the Best Scones

Keep everything cold. Cold butter and cream are key to achieving that tender, flaky texture.
Don’t overmix the dough. Stir until just combined, overworking the dough makes scones tough.
Chill before baking. It might be tempting to skip this step, but chilling helps the scones hold their shape and bake up beautifully.
Use fresh baking powder. If your baking powder is old, your scones won’t rise as much.
Eat them fresh! These scones taste best the day they’re made, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Just warm them up before serving!

These pumpkin spiced scones are comforting, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of coffee, sharing them with friends, or sneaking one for a midnight snack, they’re sure to be a hit.

Check Out More Fall Season Recipes